Event Category: Call for Submissions

The AMY Project is pleased to be partnering with The JRG Society For The Arts to co-present the inaugural JRG Grant for Artists with Disabilities.

About the grant:
This grant aims to sponsor artists with disabilities in preparing and presenting artwork across a variety of disciplines. The motivation for the award is the life of Justin R Grant, a Halifax filmmaker who died of ALS too early in his life. Art-making was a passion of his.
The maximum value of grant to be awarded for 2018 is $3500, which will be distributed to one successful applicant. The winner will also be invited to receive the award at an event in Halifax, Nova Scotia, in Fall 2018, with travel expenses paid.

About the JRG Society of the Arts
The JRG Society of the Arts is a newly established organization that exists to honour the life and work of Justin R. Grant through supporting the work of artists with disabilities. JRG Society for the Arts has a broad and encompassing understanding of the term disability, seeing it as any physical, mental or emotional state which the individual needs to overcome in order to deal with the activities of daily life. To learn more about the JRG Society for the Arts, visit their website.

Eligibility:

For the 2018 iteration of the JRG Grant, applicants must:

Be under the age of 35 and/or be in the first 5 years of their artistic career

Identify as a person with a disability/disabilities

Be seeking funds in support of developing and/or presenting an artistic project

Reside in Canada

Projects can be in any artistic discipline (i.e. filmmaking, visual art, theatre, dance, writing, etc). Applicants who are not successful in 2018 may re-apply in future years.

Eligible expenses:
The grant will fund any costs related to the development and/or presentation of an artistic work, including sustenance for applicant, materials, fees to collaborating artists, and production/exhibition costs.
This grant is not intended to be a scholarship for artistic studies or professional development training.

Assessment:
Applications will be assessed by a small committee of disability-identified artist representatives from The JRG Arts Society and The AMY Project. Applications will be asses based on the following criteria:

The application meets all eligibility requirements

Merit: Artistic merit of proposed project

Viability: the artist has established a clear and viable work schedule/process

Impact: the potential impact of the project for the applicant’s own artistic development, and for the wider community.

How to Apply:
Application is here: https://tinyurl.com/JRGgrant
The application is via an online form. If you need support to complete the application, or if you require an alternative way to apply, please contact us at grants@theamyproject.com – we are happy to find an application process that is accessible to you.

The deadline to apply is Friday April 27th, 2018, 5pm EST.

Acknowledgement:
The recipient of the JRG Scholarship must acknowledge support from The AMY Project and The JRG Society For The Arts on all materials and publications relating to the project.

Tangled Art + Disability is currently accepting applications from Canadian Mad, Deaf, & disability identified artists from across Canada to take part in an upcoming series titled Flourishing.

We are searching for seven (7) artists from across Canada to contribute artistic work centering the experiences of Deaf, Mad and disability-identified folk in exploring what it means to “flourish”. With this exhibition series we seek to discover and expand new understandings of flourishing and to affirm how we may live and thrive even when society may expect differently. Flourishing can and does happen in unexpected ways, despite widely held ableist beliefs that disability, frailty and suffering make it no longer possible.

We invite applications from artists at any stage in their career/practice. We encourage applications from artists in any field, including but not limited to:

We welcome perspectives that are intersectional and reflecting Deaf, Mad and disability cultures from diverse lived experiences including LGBTQQIIA, Indigenous, Black, Persons of Colour communities. Interested artists should share with us: where they are in their career, what is their creative practice and how this collaboration might support their practice at this time.

Applications:
There is a form to apply though the Tangled website below. Within the application tell us about yourself, where you are from, and about the kind of art you make.

Submissions must be received by March 22, 2018. We will not accept late applications.

Only submissions from Deaf, Mad and disability-identified artists will be considered. Artists whose creative practice involves or includes a personal support worker, assistant or an essential collaborator are welcome to apply.

At the SWITCH postcard show, a variety of original, postcard-sized artworks on paper are displayed anonymously. It’s the show with a secret: the identity of the artist is only revealed after purchase (as the postcards are signed on the back only). Proceeds benefit the Bi Arts
Festival, building community through a celebration of bisexual visibility in arts and culture.

Postcards will be on display September 21-23rd, 2018, at a location TBA (Toronto, ON, Canada). All works are displayed anonymously; the identity of the artist is only revealed upon purchase.

Each original work will be sold for $40 (CAD) on a first come first served basis and the collector will take the work with them at the close of the weekend. Money raised supports the Bi Arts Festival – an annual event that celebrates bisexual visibility, culture and history. Click here for Entry Guidelines.

Artists – authors – filmmakers – performers – musicians – actors – dancers – Are you interested in participating in the 2018 Bi Arts Festival? We’d love to hear from you! Submit 2018 Expressions of Interest here. The call for vendors for our Craft Fair as well as submission info for CRUSH (the zine) will be issued separately.

We are particularly interested in hearing voices from the following communities: Black, Indigenous and other artists of colour, trans & non-binary artists, bisexual men, artists with disabilities, newcomers and refugees, bisexual youth, working class artists, and artists with HIV.

Akin and The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA) are excited to announce our Call for Applications for the Akin Studio Program. This program will provide affordable studio space to 20+ visual artists and cultural practitioners in the museum’s new home which is set to open on May 26, 2018 at 158 Sterling Road in the Junction Triangle.

Selected artists will be invited to move their studio into the museum for a term of one year and will share their practices with the museum’s visitors through programs such as open studio events. Regular Akin studio rental fees will apply. The studios will vary in size from approximately 50 to 250 square feet and will be designed by Akin to create a bright and welcoming environment for artists to develop their work. Similar to Akin’s seven other locations, the space will foster a community atmosphere and the exchange of ideas.

This call is open to student, emerging and professional art practitioners, curators and writers living in Toronto.

The deadline for the Call is March 5, 2018 at 5:00pm.

* *Applicants who require additional resources, support or time to complete their applications can request as such. Please request this assistance at least two weeks in advance of the submission deadline. To do so, or for additional information, please contact moca@akincollective.com or call 416 826 2053.

The full call is copied below. Please share widely.
You can share the call by forwarding this email, sharing this webpage or downloading the PDF.

CALL FOR APPLICATIONS: AKIN STUDIO PROGRAM AT MOCA, 2018-19

Overview
The Akin Studio Program is a unique opportunity for art practitioners, curators and writers (hereafter referred to as artists) to lease shared studio space within The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA) at 158 Sterling Road in Toronto. In addition to a one year studio space rental selected artists will be immersed within a community of peers, offering various opportunities for engagement. Studio members will be encouraged to develop and expand their individual practices while playing a role in the artistic community within the museum itself.

Studio Rental Program Start Date: May 1, 2018Studio Rental Program End Date: April 30, 2019

Submission Details
Deadline to apply: March 5, 2018, 5:00pm.

Application Criteria, Artist Expectations and Opportunities
Applicants should consider the unique shared studio environment within the museum in which Akin’s Studio Program occurs. Certain processes and forms of production, materials and hardware (especially use of aerosols, and creation of dust or substantial noise) are not well suited to this context. Please ensure that your process is a good fit before applying, and contact us if unsure. While the focus for selected artists will be to use their studio spaces for independent practice, research and development, this is an inclusive, shared studio environment where artists will benefit from insight provided by not only their studio peers, but also guest curators and art professionals. Selected artists agree to participate in three public open studio days, organized in collaboration with the museum, during the course of their year-long program (dates to be determined).

Application Process
Within one single PDF document, applicants are asked to provide the following:

Name:
Email:
Address:
Phone Number:
Website if available:
Link to art-focused social media profile if available:
*Artist collectives please include the name of the collective as well as contact info for its members as indicated directly above and answer the following questions from the perspective of your collective.

A brief artist statement and biography. (300 words max)

Supporting documentation of up to 10 images of work and installation shots, including relevant caption information (title, medium, date, dimension). In the case of curators or art writers, please include two sample texts or appropriate work examples in addition to up to 5 related images if applicable. As noted above, please embed images and all application information into one PDF document.

A written statement considering the following questions: How do you feel your experience and practice will help cultivate and contribute to a vibrant, equitable and diverse artistic community in our shared studio space environment within MOCA? How will you use your rented space, and how do you feel this opportunity will benefit and support your artistic practice at this time in your career? The studios will be flanked by a large open-studio where MOCA intends to develop and host workshops, talks and other programming that focuses on socially engaged artistic and interdisciplinary practices. Do you see your practice aligning with these concerns and interests and if so, please describe how? (300 words max)

CV or relatable artistic experience.

Can you commit to the entire program period from May 1, 2018 to April 30, 2019? If not, what duration (necessarily beginning May 1, 2018) can you commit to? Please note that, if necessary, selected artists can relinquish their studio space by way of providing at least one full calendar month notice.

Optional: Should you desire to, please identify if you are a member of one the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups detailed in the Selection Process information below.

Below are examples of sizes and prices of Akin’s studios. Please rank the sizes of studios that you would consider renting, beginning with your ideal size. If your application is successful we will do our best to match you with a space that is as close to your preference as possible.

All prices include 24/7 access to the studios, taxes, insurance, wifi, access to communal working areas as well as shared storage, kitchen, and bathroom. There are no additional fees, though there will be a small rent increase in January 2019. Upon selection, artists will be required to pay first and last month’s rent in order to confirm their placement within the program. Please note that pricing is the same as at other Akin studio locations

*Selected applicants must be available to begin their rental on May 1, 2018.

Accessibility Information
Within the building, there is elevator access to all floors as well as AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) compliant washrooms.

The Museum ground floor has three accessible entries:
East Vestibule, MOCA – operation-assisted doors to a ramp to an automatic sliding door to the main lobby.
West Vestibule, MOCA – operation-assisted doors from grade directly to the lobby.
West Vestibule, Base Building – operation-assisted doors directly to the elevators to all floors.

The washrooms are gender-neutral.

The doorways into Akin’s studios are 36” wide and are not operation-assisted.

The kitchenette is AODA (Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act) compliant.

Submission Format
Email application document to moca@akincollective.com with the subject line: Akin Studio Program 2018 Application // [last name]. Please ensure that the total file size of your PDF is 10mb or smaller.

Deadline for applications: March 5, 2018, 5:00pm.

Selection Process
An impartial jury comprised of local artists, curators, arts professionals and MOCA’s Constituent Curator, will select artists and creatives based on their submitted material, anticipated benefit from the program, anticipated contribution to the studio environment, and practical considerations regarding their proposed use of the rented studio space.

Selected studio rental applicants will be notified of their status approximately 2 weeks following the application deadline, or as soon as selections have been made.

A significant component of the jury selection process is a desire to reflect the diversity of our city’s artistic community and the different voices within it. As part of this process, jury members will reference the Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Framework and its list of Equity Priority Groups(Persons of Colour, Deaf Persons, Persons with Disabilities and Persons Living with Mental Illness, Indigenous, 2SLGBTQIAP). More information on this framework, as part of the TAC Strategic Plan, can be found here. Please note that the application and selection process for the Akin Studio Program at MOCA has adapted parts of the TAC Equity Framework and that it is not the same process used by TAC for the purpose of adjudication of grant applications.

Adapting the TAC Equity Priority Policy, applications of merit proposed by applicants who self-identify as belonging to one (or more) of Toronto Arts Council’s Equity Priority Groups or who primarily involve or serve artists from these groups will be prioritized. We encourage applications from these communities. The jury will similarly prioritize artists living or working within the museum’s local Junction area given the recent displacement of artists within the neighbourhood.

Application Accessibility Support
Applicants who require additional resources, support or time to complete their applications can request as such. Please request this assistance at least two weeks in advance of the submission deadline. To do so, or for additional information, please contact moca@akincollective.com or call 416 826 2053.

Thank you to The Museum of Contemporary Art Toronto Canada (MOCA) and to the Toronto Arts Council for their feedback on the selection process.

The RMG is committed to equity and diversity and encourages applications from members of racialized groups/visible minorities, Indigenous persons, persons with disabilities, persons of any sexual orientation, and persons of any gender identity or gender expression.

Curator and Manager, Exhibitions and Collections
The Robert McLaughlin Gallery (RMG) is seeking a Curator and Manager, Exhibitions and Collections, charged with generating innovative strategies to propel the RMG toward new levels of programming excellence, inclusion and engagement. Under the direction of our strategic plan, this individual will be encouraged to take risks and be given the room to do so. Follow this link to learn more: http://rmg.on.ca/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/CuratorManager_ExhibitionsCollections-2018.pdf

Join the Board of Directors
The RMG Board of Directors sets policy, exercises oversight and provides strategic direction for the important work of the Gallery. Directors’ terms are voluntary positions for a period of 3 years with the option to renew.

Young People’s Theatre (YPT) is accepting resumes for its 2018 General and General Musical Auditions on March 5th, 6th and 7th at 165 Front Street East, Toronto ON M5A 3Z4. Members of Canadian Actor’s Equity Association who haven’t previously auditioned will have priority.

YPT wants to see as broad of a range of actors as possible at our auditions. Performers of all races, ethnicities and body types are strongly encouraged to request an audition. We would also encourage individuals with a range of All Abilities, regardless of level of training, to apply.

Requirements:
General Audition: 2 contrasting modern monologues, of which one must be by a Canadian playwright, totaling no more than 5 minutes.
General Musical Audition: One Broadway-style song and one monologue. An accompanist will be provided.

Send headshot/resume/cover letter clearly marked “General Audition” or “General Musical Audition” to the attention of Stephen Colella. Please do not apply if you have auditioned for YPT in the last three years. No e-mail submissions. Materials must be received by 5 pm on Wednesday February 7th. Only those selected for an audition will be contacted.

The Storefront Arts Initiative is a not-for-profit arts organization that has created a cultural hub for the INDIE ART radicals in the Storefront Theatre at 955 Bloor Street West in Toronto. The Initiative provides opportunity to the independent arts field by providing affordable venues to creators and annually curating a distinctly unique selection of performances and plays reflective of the diversity of our province. Storefront curates work that is artistically risky and challenging while creating new jobs in the arts sector by establishing a new and radical engagement model.

SFAI is calling for thought-provoking, groundbreaking, experimental, original art from ALL mediums. SFAI wants musicians, performance artists, visual artists, filmmakers, dancers, theatre artists to apply with work that asks BIG questions and that seeks to CHALLENGE social and societal norms. Think of our Storefront Space at 955 Bloor St. West in downtown Toronto as an artistic sandbox and help make it THE hub for multidisciplinary art and a nurturing space for a variety of artistic voices.

SFAI is committed to the principles of social justice, inclusion and diversity. We acknowledge this is ongoing work and we are in a continual process of learning in order to create a space that is inclusive and welcoming for all artists. We strongly encourage artists and collectives from under represented and marginalized groups (Indigenous artists, artists of colour, D/deaf artists, disabled artists, mad artists, sick artists) to submit.

We are actively interested in working with, and developing relationships with, other independent theatre companies, artists and arts collectives whose projects and practices address any of the following topics and areas:

Speaks to issues of inclusion within the Canadian population, and especially Toronto audiences
• Engages with cross-cultural dialogues, themes, lifestyles and ideas
• Theatrically compelling and willing to be controversial, challenging and provocative
• Uses technology and theatrical conventions to create a strong scenographic vision.
• Work that is created by, or addresses lifestyles and issues faced by, D/deaf artists, disabled artists, mad artists, sick artists, artists of colour
• Addresses issues of environmental activism, pollution, global warming
• Work that is created by, or addresses lifestyles and issues faced by, Indigenous peoples in Canada or abroad
• Re-imaginings of narrative technique, non-narratives, interactive, immersive, events and happenings that offer something different or compelling with the theatrical form.
• Work that is created by, or addresses lifestyles and issues faced by, people who identify as LGBTQQIP2SAA
• New works and collective creations.
• Work that incorporates artists and practices from across generations
• Work that considers space, the ethos and politics of storefronts
• Work related to the politics of performance

Submission Requirements:

Please fill out this application by SUNDAY DECEMBER 18, 2016. If you have any questions or require assistance with this application, please contact sedina@thestorefronttheatre.com. Video submissions are also welcome.

Here is a pdf version of the application for reference purposes. Please fill out the online form.

Thank you for your interest in working with The Storefront Theatre, we are excited to work with you!

Often understandings of how to build accessible services, venues, and communities are incredibly limited. In so many cases accessibility is considered a hassle to organize and done last minute.

Beyond space, the ways we view and understand (dis)ablity impacts how we treat each other. It plays into who we validate, how we conceptualize attractiveness and what we believe we are capable of. The institutions we walk through each and everyday reinforce these barriers.

This is the world we live in.

In The Peak’s Disability Justice issue, we’ll explore questions like what does liberation actually look like? How are we building alternatives? How are building support networks? And how are we reframing the discussion around disability and ableism in our communities?

If you need any support in contributing to this issue please email us at peakcontent@gmail.com and let us know how we can best do that.

Submission deadline: March 3rd, 2017

Send Submissions to: peakcontent@gmail.com

Word Count: We recommend a maximum word count of 2000. If you have questions regarding this please contact us at: peakcontent@gmail.com

Please include a title, a short bio (25 words), a headshot, art to include with any article (optional) and you mailing address along with your submission.

Please note: The Peak is prioritizing voices and work of Black people, Indigenous people, and People of Colour (BIPOC). If you are not BIPOC identified please contact us with your thoughts on what you would like to contribute to the magazine.

The Peak provides compensation for written work, photography, and illustrations selected for publication.

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Creative Users is an artist collective that engages the work and ideas of artists, activists, and community members to critically explore social and cultural understandings of accessibility through the process of dissecting what it means to be a “user” in the environments we inhabit. We play with the word “user,” a term used in inclusive design practices wherein disabled people are commonly referred to as “extreme users.”

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Creative Users is a disability-led artist platform that explores the intersection of art and design practices, accessibility, and disability. Creative Users is a shapeshifter, cultural connector and sector builder of disability arts and accessible curatorial practice. Our work stems from a desire to activate art and make visible an inclusive arts culture.

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Inclusive practices are integral to everything we do at Creative Users. As a disability-led initiative, our approach to inclusion is informed by our ongoing collective experience of difference and disability as well as by our steadfast belief that an inclusive culture is a richer culture.